Assistant Manager - Material Planning

About Group Bayport

Group Bayport is a swiftly expanding global organization specializing in e-Commerce across B2B2C, B2B, and B2C models, recognized for delivering high-quality customized products using state-of-the-art digital technologies, strong manufacturing capabilities, and a worldwide supply chain. Operating brands such as BannerBuzz, Covers & All, Vivyx Printing, Circle One, Giant Media, and Neon Earth, the company serves markets in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and India. Their product range includes comprehensive trade show and small business marketing solutions, outdoor living covers, signage, shades, personal accents, and home décor, enabling clients to express personalization through customization. The organization thrives on a workforce of over 1450 team members and is currently inviting skilled professionals to join its growth journey.

Role Overview

The Assistant Manager - Material Planning role entails managing the complete material planning process for key business accounts to ensure raw materials, including textiles, printing media, hardware, inks, and packaging, are available on time. This role focuses on inventory optimization, cross-departmental coordination, and supporting uninterrupted production efficiently and cost-effectively.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage material planning for designated strategic customer accounts.
• Formulate material requirement plans based on forecasts, sales orders, and production schedules.
• Ensure prompt procurement and availability of raw materials and production inputs.
• Collaborate extensively with Sales, Production Planning, Procurement, Warehouse, and Operations teams to ensure smooth execution.
• Monitor and maintain optimal inventory levels to prevent shortages and excess stock.
• Analyze demand trends to recommend stocking strategies focused on fast-moving and critical supplies.
• Track supplier lead times and proactively address potential supply disruptions.
• Identify material shortfalls and devise contingency plans to mitigate production delays.
• Review material usage patterns, inventory aging, and identify slow or obsolete stock.
• Lead initiatives aimed at inventory optimization while preserving required service levels.
• Prepare routine planning reports and key performance indicators on daily, weekly, and monthly bases.
• Engage in Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) meetings and assist in demand planning activities.
• Pursue continuous process enhancements through data-driven analysis and system improvement.

Performance Metrics

• Percentage of material availability for production
• Frequency of production line halts due to material shortages
• Accuracy of inventory records
• Inventory turnover rates
• Costs associated with inventory holding
• Forecast precision
• On-Time In-Full (OTIF) support level
• Adherence to supplier lead times
• Reduction in inventory aging and obsolete stock

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, Business Administration, or related disciplines.
• Preferably holds an MBA or PGDM focused on Operations or Supply Chain.
• Between 5 to 8 years of experience in material planning, production planning, supply chain, or inventory management roles.
• Experience in manufacturing sectors such as signage, textiles, printing, packaging, or analogous industries is highly regarded.
• Prior handling of major customer accounts with extensive SKU portfolios is advantageous.

Technical Proficiencies

• Strong command of Material Requirement Planning (MRP) principles.
• Proficiency with ERP software such as SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar platforms.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, lookup functions (VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP), dashboards, and complex formulas.
• Robust analytical capabilities and forecasting skills.
• Deep understanding of inventory management and production planning methodologies.

Key Competencies

• Sharp analytical thinking and problem-solving aptitude.
• Excellent organizational and planning skills.
• Effective communication and ability to manage stakeholder relationships.
• Capacity to handle pressure and juggle multiple priorities efficiently.
• Data-driven approach to decision-making.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Collaboration across functional teams.

Preferred Industry Experience

• Signage manufacturing
• Textile production
• Digital and large format printing
• Packaging industries
• Custom manufacturing sectors